Eco-Patrol Agents Authorized to Use Weapons and Prevent Offenders from Fleeing the Scene: New Decision

The Government of Armenia made a decision in its meeting today, March 28, which establishes the alignment of eco-patrol service positions with military positions in the armed forces, national security, police, and other services.

The justification for the decision states that eco-patrol service members will carry out their duties in a 24/7 mode to ensure the safety of the state's forests, forest lands, and specially protected natural areas of Armenia.

During their service, there is a high likelihood of external pressure impacting the performance of the Service members' duties. Additionally, apart from having the authority to make decisions regarding administrative penalties, eco-patrol agents are also authorized to use weapons and special measures in cases and manners prescribed by the “Eco-Patrol Service Law,” limit the movement of violators from the site of the offense, and prevent their escape.

The role of the service is often not understood correctly by residents of communities adjacent to the forests, as the duties of a protection officer are perceived as personal, leading to a pronounced negative attitude towards them. Furthermore, in recent years, there have been reported incidents of clashes between violators and protection service workers, based on statistics from criminal proceedings related to illegal logging.

During the development of the project, specific positions within the Service were singled out, where the scope of duties and the rights and obligations stemming from these functions, the organization of work, the decision-making authority under external influence, the engagement scope with the public, and the complexity of challenges align with the characteristics of specific types of public service established by the Government of Armenia.